There May Be Too Many Singles
Washington, D.C. was recently ranked as second best city for singles by Nerdwallet. Many Washingtonian singles must be wondering, “Then why am I still alone?” Facebook might just have the answer for you.
With Facebook’s capacity to view real-time relationship statuses, it is able to see when a couple’s status goes from “in a relationship” to “single” or vice versa. Facebook ranked major U.S. cities according to the percentage of singles that went from “single” to “in a relationship” over a one-month period.
Too many choices
Data showed that singles in large cities such as San Francisco and New York, have a harder time finding a long-term relationship. With Facebook’s data, Washington, D.C. actually ranked number two for least likely to find love. Although it has a large dating pool, less people are coupling up than in any other city in the U.S., San Francisco being the only exception.
According to Indiana University professor Justin Garcia, the problem with finding a mate in a large city is the abundance of choices. The amount of people can be overwhelming and may alienate singles and cause them to not join the dating scene at all.
Head south
The data also showed that southern cities tend to be easier for coupling up and anecdotal evidence shows that this is because the dating culture is vastly different from those in San Francisco, D.C., New York and Los Angeles. Cities near outdoor recreation have high proportions of single men making it easier for women to find a mate. On the flip side, because of the disproportion, it is harder for men to find a partner.
If you are a picky dater, then Washington, D.C. is the place for you. With the abundance of singles, the dating pool and potential is quite large. But if you are looking for a place where you may find a long-term relationship, Facebook data suggests trying Colorado Springs, Colo., El Paso, Texas, or Louisville, Ky. To read the full report, visit the Wall Street Journal.
Dating and Relationship blogger, Sara Maldonado is a writer and social media guru currently navigating the sea of men while having an affair with the city of Washington, DC. She enjoys coffee, laughter, and a good hair day.